Certified translation

Certified Translations: We Promise You Accuracy

In the U.K. there is no body or authority that certifies translations. A certified translation is one in which a translator or an agency makes a legal statement in its own name asserting that a translated document is correct or faithful with respect to an original document. Often, translations of birth certificates, marital status certificates, divorce or marriage certificates and diplomas often require certification as they are often requested as legal proof of status by employers, universities, insurance companies and government authorities.

Certifying translators must be very competent and consummate professionals. Only those translators who demonstrate substantial experience are allowed to certify translations at filologi.com, There is no one style for certification but all certification requires a signed attestation by the translator with respect to accuracy, completeness and faithfulness of the translated text in comparison to the original and a company stamp to the certification.

We provide certified translations from and into all major European and Asian languages. Rewrite: In some cases, certified translations of legal documents require not only certification, which is done by the translator, but also notarisation where a notary or commissioner of oaths affixes his or her seal to a translation.

The filologi.com translation agency offers specialised translation services for notarising a translated document. In the UK, the translator must go to the office of a commissioner of oaths (an individual appointed by the Lord Chancellor to administer oaths and take affidavits: notary public, solicitor, barrister, legal executive or licensed conveyancer) and swear they are professionally qualified and that the translation they have done is accurate to the best of their knowledge. The notary or commissioner of oaths then stamps and signs each page. Notarised translations are usually used in courts of law, both civil and criminal. One note of caution here. When a translator swears to the accuracy of a translation before a notary, as is the case in the UK, this means the translation is a sworn translation. This should not be confused with countries that have sworn translators who may affix their own official seal to a document thereby obviating notarisation.

Notarised translations are quite often required by official institutions or public authorities for such documents as criminal warrants, contracts, company formation and registration information and financial documents. Individuals might be asked for notarised translations of passports, birth, marriage or death certificates, diplomas, education certificates, certificates attesting to a “clean” criminal record, parental consent forms and other personal documents from and into major languages around the world.

A notarised translation document will comprise a copy of the original document in the source language and its translation. The notary binds the documents together and applies his or her seal to it.

It should be borne in mind that there may be a requirement for a translation to have an affidavit accompanying it. In this case, the translator swears in writing that the translation is accurate and the notary then authenticates the affidavit (affixes his or her seal to it).

If you need certification or notarisation of personal documents, please call on our specialists and they will translate and certify them as soon as possible. Also, please feel free to consult us about whether your documents require certification, notarisation or legalisation with an apostille.

Legalisation by Apostille: The Most Formal Manner of Document Authentication

Cross-border authentication of documents was a cumbersome process until the Hague Convention of 1961 instituted the procedure for issuance of apostilles. In the UK, this means that a notarised translation is sent to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) which checks the signature, stamp and seal (of the notary or magistrate) to authenticate it. An apostille is a standard certificate under the Hague Convention that provides the end user of the document with the assurance the document is genuine. This is true in all countries which are a party to the Hague Convention. An apostille is an authentication of a public document, which means any document bearing the signature of a public official.

Documents to be presented to overseas authorities often require legalisation. If your translation is to be used in a country that is not a signatory to the Hague Convention, their embassy or consulate should be consulted to see what the country legalisation requirements are.

More detailed information regarding apostilling of your documents and notarisation of translations from our project managers, who can be reached on: +44 (0) 207 193 7199, or please send your request to this e-mail: london@filologi.com